BCG Solution

This phase Ib/II trial compares the safety, tolerability and acceptability of intravesical chemotherapy given at home to in-clinic administration in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Chemotherapy drugs, such as bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), gemcitabine, docetaxel, and mitomycin C, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Standard of care chemotherapy for non-invasive bladder cancer is usually given directly into the bladder through a catheter (intravesical). This process requires numerous visits and can be disruptive to the lives of patients and caregivers. Bringing cancer care to the patients with in-home intravesical therapy may help reduce the disruption to daily lives. In-home intravesical chemotherapy may be safe and tolerable and may also be preferable to in-clinic administration in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

This phase III trial compares the effect of adding gemcitabine to intravesical Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) versus intravesical BCG alone in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer that has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Gemcitabine is a chemotherapy drug that blocks the cells from making deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and may kill cancer cells. Intravesical BCG is a solution containing the live BCG bacteria that is placed in the bladder via a catheter (intravesical). When the solution comes into direct contact with the bladder wall, it stimulates the body's immune system which kills tumor cells. Giving gemcitabine with intravesical BCG may kill more tumor cells in patients with recurrent non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.